Hakim turns saviour for 15 ill-fated mishap victims

Kolkata: The humanitarian face of state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim came to the forefront in the wee hours on Sunday morning, when he came to the rescue of around 15 people who met with an accident at Dum Dum Park area on VIP Road.

According to sources, at around 3.10 am when the minister was returning from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport after welcoming the pilgrims who had returned from Haj, he came across a matador that had toppled onto its side, with a number of people found trapped inside the vehicle.

The minister immediately got down from his car and drew the attention of the patrolling police. He, along with his guards and the policemen joined hands to rescue the trapped and injured persons.

Under the minister's instructions and supervision, prompt arrangements were made to transport the injured persons to a nearby hospital as soon as possible.

A police vehicle and three app cabs that were found on the road at the time were used for carrying the injured. "The minister supervised the entire operation and left only after all the injured persons reached the hospital," said a close aide of the minister, who was accompanying him.

According to police sources, the ill-fated matador was going towards Chakla,

the birthplace of Baba Lokenath. Chakla Dham is a well-known pilgrimage site located near Basirhat in North 24-Parganas.

"Bengal is known for its unity in diversity and upholding of communal harmony. It is my duty as a public representative to stand by everyone if

they are in crisis," the minister said.